Cinema Novo was a Brazilian film movement in the 1960s and 70s that focused on showing the struggles of poor and working-class people, as well as issues of race. Famous directors like Glauber Rocha and Nelson Pereira dos Santos made bold, political films with limited resources, challenging mainstream cinema. Eryk Rocha’s documentary about Cinema Novo felt artistic rather than traditional, using old footage, interviews, and creative editing to capture the movement’s energy. Even though it was sometimes hard to follow, it made the history feel alive. Cinema Novo’s influence is still seen today in films that highlight social and political issues.

Cinema Novo was a Brazilian film movement in the 1960s and 70s that focused on showing the struggles of poor and working-class people, as well as issues of race. Famous directors like Glauber Rocha and Nelson Pereira dos Santos made bold, political films with limited resources, challenging mainstream cinema. Eryk Rocha’s documentary about Cinema Novo felt artistic rather than traditional, using old footage, interviews, and creative editing to capture the movement’s energy. Even though it was sometimes hard to follow, it made the history feel alive. Cinema Novo’s influence is still seen today in films that highlight social and political issues.

Last week, we watched several films, but the one that stood out to me the most was La hora de los hornos. This film was directed Octavio Getino and Fernando Solanas. This 1971 Argentine film explores the struggles of the country’s poorer population. What I found most interesting were the film’s editing, language, and visual style. It feels like a film made by the people and for the people. The fast-paced editing includes gunshots and intense visuals, making the message powerful. One striking example is the scene of cattle being slaughtered, which is intercut with images of foreign advertisements, creating a clear and emotional message. It allows us to feel part within the film and see what these innocent people had to go through.